George Jones and Randy Travis had two of the best voices in country music. More than a decade after his death, many fans still hail Jones as the greatest country singer to ever live. At the same time, Travis’ voice was so good that he and his team are currently using AI to revive it and create new music after he lost the ability to speak and sing to a stroke in 2013. As a result, it would be an understatement to say that seeing the pair of legends sing together was a treat.
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Countless fans have received that treat over the years by watching the 1991 TV special Influences: George Jones and Randy Travis. Throughout the special, the pair play classic country songs and talk about how much they influenced one another over the years. Jones’ influence on Travis is obvious. However, some were likely surprised to hear that Jones was ready to give up until he heard Travis’s hit song “On the Other Hand.” Watch the pair perform Jones’ iconic “The Grand Tour” below.
[RELATED: Watch George Jones Perform “He Stopped Loving Her Today” to an Adoring Crowd in Tennessee]
Jones was a master of sad songs and “The Grand Tour” is among the best in his collection. It was the title track and lead single from his 1974 album and became his fifth solo No. 1 single. More than that, it’s a heartbreaking song about a home that feels empty after a divorce. Despite how sad the lyrics are, the pair of legendary singers seem to have a great time singing it.
While hearing Jones and Travis sing together is awe-inspiring, the highlights of the video come from Jones’ reactions to Travis’ talent. He’s not shy about how impressed he is.
George Jones on How Randy Travis Influenced Him
“On the Other Hand” has an interesting history. It was the first and third single from Randy Travis’ debut album Storms of Life. He released it for the first time in 1985 and it peaked at No. 67 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Then, he re-released it in 1986. The second time around, the song went to No. 1, giving Travis his first chart-topper. It also inspired George Jones to make a comeback.
“You was an influence of mine, too, you know,” Jones told Travis. “I was just about to give up and you came out with ‘On the Other Hand.’ I even called the radio station myself—I knew the ol’ boy there and got him to play it several times because I love the song so much,” he explained.
“It gave me a lot of inspiration to want to try harder and to try to make a comeback and get back on the right track,” Jones said.
Featured Image by John Atashian/Getty Images
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